Read the news lately? If you have, odds are you’ve run across a story about the importance of vitamin D and all of its wonderful health benefits. Recent reports show that populations around the world are suffering from vitamin D deficiency. In the U.S. alone, only one third are getting enough vitamin D. The problem is widespread and increasing, with potentially severe repercussions for overall health and bone-fracture rates. There is also evidence that suggests vitamin D deficiency increases during the winter months because of decreased exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D (frequently called the “sunshine vitamin”) is necessary for normal bone mineralization and growth, maintenance of muscle strength and coordination, cardiovascular health, and robust and balanced immune function.

Studies have shown that because our bodies use sunlight to make vitamin D, people in North America can become extremely vitamin D deficient during the winter months. But even when the sun is shining, how often do you actually see it? If you’re like most people, not often—especially if you work in an office or never leave the house without covering yourself in sunscreen.

How Vitamin D Helps
Calcium is the major structural element of bones and teeth. Your body needs several nutrients in order for calcium to be absorbed and used properly. Two of these nutrients are vitamin D and vitamin K. Vitamin D increases absorption of calcium from the small intestine so the body receives maximum benefit, while vitamin K helps make sure calcium builds up in the bones and not in soft tissues. Adequete calcium and vitamin D throughout life, as part of a well-balanced diet, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Vitamin D also promotes a healthy, balanced immune system through its key role in regulation and differentiation of immune system cells, and it supports cardiovascular health and normal functioning of the nervous system.

In addition, recent research has shown the following:

• Healthy vitamin D levels are a key part of minimizing age-associated bone loss, which in turn can reduce risk of osteoporosis later in life.
• Vitamin D may play a role in keeping our lungs healthy, with higher concentrations of vitamin D resulting in positive effects on lung function and health.
• Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease.
• Vitamin D deficiency can weaken the muscular and skeletal systems.

Although vitamin D can be toxic in very large doses, deficiencies have become relatively common. In fact, in the most recent revision of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), the recommended dietary intake for certain age groups was increased as much as 50 percent. Even when the winter months are behind us, it doesn’t mean your body needs less of a good thing. Every cell in your body needs vitamin D to function properly.

(NaturalNews) If scientists discovered something that worked better than vaccines at preventing influenza, you'd think they would jump all over it, right? After all, isn't the point to protect children and adults from influenza?

A clinical trial led by Mitsuyoshi Urashima and conducted by the Division of Molecular Epidemiology in the the Department of Pediatrics at the Jikei University School of Medicine Minato-ku in Tokyo found that vitamin D was extremely effective at halting influenza infections in children. The trial appears in the March, 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr (March 10, 2010). doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.29094)

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/029760_vitamin_D_influenza.html#ixzz1Gn27L7OB

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